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Controller's race see-saws as ballot counting continues

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Former Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-LA) is in a tight battle for second place and a spot in the November runoff for state controller.
Kitty Felde/KPCC

As California counties continue counting ballots from the June 3 primary election, two candidates in the state Controller's contest keep see-sawing into and out of second place, which is what's needed to face top vote-getter Republican Ashley Swearengin in the November general election.

Former Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles) trailed Board of Equalization Member Betty Yee by 2,820 votes as of the Secretary of State's update Wednesday afternoon.

Yee, who lives in San Francisco, was a deputy director for the state budget before she was elected to the Board of Equalization in 2006.

California counties have until 28 days after the election to continue their counting before they certify results and report them to the state. The next update from Los Angeles County is June 13.

Another close race to grab second position and a runoff slot on the November ballot is in the 31st Congressional District in western San Bernardino County. Democratic Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar is in second, leading Lesli Gooch, a former aide to retiring Rep. Gary Miller (R-Rancho Cucamonga) by 181 votes, with more than 3,000 votes left to count county wide. While Aguilar has claimed victory, Gooch has declined to concede and has been soliciting donations to fund the cost of a potential recount.

Previously in Represent!

Represent! is your eye on how well government serves citizens and the public interest in Southern California. KPCC's politics and government team posts frequently on transparency, civic engagement, reform efforts and accountability. We invite your comments and suggestions — follow us on Twitter at the links below.